Pubdate: Tue, 01 Jul 2003 Source: Northern Territory News (Australia) Contact: 2003 Northern Territory News Website: http://ntnews.news.com.au/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/283 Author: Nigel Adlam DRUGS RIFE IN DEFENCE FORCE Drug use is rife at the NT's army headquarters, it was claimed last night. Soldiers said marijuana, amphetamines and ecstasy were readily available at Robertson Barracks in Palmerston. One private said: "I'd start taking speed on Friday night and stay awake until Monday morning and then be in charge of a 13 1/2 tonne armoured car." One soldier has been charged with possession of amphetamines. Several others are known to be under investigation. "Military police have been tapping people on the shoulder and leading them away for urine tests," said one source. "There is a purge on and the defence force wants to keep it quiet." The revelation follows drug charges being laid against four soldiers at the huge army barracks in Townsville, Queensland, last week. Drugs are being bought from dealers in Darwin and taken into Robertson Barracks to be sold on, sources said. "I could make a call on a mobile phone to another member of the Defence Force and order drugs," a soldier said. "I could go straight to his room and pick up the supply. "Or, if he had run out, I'd have to wait for a few hours." He said one dealer bragged of having a $3500-a-week turnover. Another said he was selling 80 ecstasy tablets every weekend. One source said the main drug users were young privates. "The Defence Force knows that there is a problem but is terrified of any publicity," he said. Captain Mark Doggett, of 1 Brigade, confirmed a soldier had been charged by civilian police with possessing amphetamines. "There is a policy of zero tolerance on drugs," he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Doc-Hawk